Find Us Online:

You are here:Home»Government Moves Integrity Legislation Pass the Lower House

Government Moves Integrity Legislation Pass the Lower House

Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart promised integrity legislation in the current term

As incredible as it may seem to some, the Prevention of Corruption Bill, 2012 has passed the Lower House on its journey to being proclaimed. Hopefully this will be done before the Prime Minister rings the bell for the next general election. One suspects though that Prime Minister Stuart will deliver on this piece of legislation, this is the stuff legacy is built. Perhaps the one regret is that yet again Hansard will NOT record a contribution from the leader of the Opposition Owen Arthur.

A listen to the debate disappointed yet again. Members of parliament on both sides joined hands to paint a picture of a courageous group who has had to bear the brunt of vilification from the public. References were made to the #16 ranking which Barbados holds on Transparency International. The Prime Minister referenced the need to recognize that there is a perception that many in public life engage in questionable behaviour, therefore the need to have integrity legislation. The listener was left with the impression that the government although tabling the legislation, has done so kicking and screaming.

To state the obvious integrity legislation serves many purposes. In private enterprise rules governing code of conduct is routine. It ensures that all employees are aware of the consequences of certain actions. It helps to feed a culture of excellence. BU posits that many practices which currently fly under the radar may be discontinued or forced into the open with the advent of integrity legislation. Should we remind the Attorney General that Transparency International’s ranking is based on a perception index? It is known how PSV permits were procured by may as a good example. A read of the Auditor General reports from 2006 also helps to form positions unfavourable to politicians and others in the public sector.

Finally a word to Minister Ronald Jones who spent some time attacking Barbados Underground and Barbados Free Press. Other members of parliament made veil references to social media. BU freely admits that some commenters abuse the cloak of anonymity. We take the opportunity to remind them that to whom much is given much is expected. to One of the greatest ironies is those most culpable are members of the House and their surrogates.

Mia Mottley is on record of the need to censor the blogs and it seems Minister Jones is so minded. It is only five years ago when the blogosphere was DLP friendly and of course Jones had no such worries then. Good news maybe coming for local politicos who want the blogs monitored. The draft Communications Data Bill is currently being circulated for comment in the UK. The bill proposes that “internet providers having to retain records of all their customers’ online activity for 12 months.” Further that the authorities would have the authority to access “email and the internet. The authorities would be able to see details of who communicated with whom, and when and where, but they would not be able to see the content of the message.” BU will continue to monitor this matter closely given the implication for Barbados adopting UK legislation.

Despite the comments from the government side that this legislation is complex which explains the time taken. BU believes it is the lack of will which is responsible. The government cannot win a political debate on economic policy therefore it is forcing other pieces of legislation through parliament to shape their election platform agenda. BU could care less. Proclaim the damn legislation. All the same kudos to the government for moving the Prevention of Corruption Bill, 2012 through the Lower House. We will continue monitor its progress. It is unfortunate the Freedom of Information Act is not in the frame. One would have imagined this is an easier piece of legislation to enact.

If the recent pronouncement by the PM absolving members of both Houses of Parliament of any corruption is to be believed then we must conclude that all the alleged corruption that took place under the previous administration and taking place under the current one must be perpetrated by senior civil servants and public sector managers.

Now is this the same public sector of which the PM constantly sings their praises as being the most outstanding and simply the best in the West?
But then again he said the same thing about Leroy Parris.

@ David .
How can you pontificate on how the message was received when receipt of the message is dependent on ones own perception and analysis ? I certainly received it different from you ; does that not make the point ? You may justifiably say how YOU received it . How would you ” receive ” a message which said that ” Barbados is a country in which high morality excels ?

You have some very interesting information but you are mixing up things and people would tend to doubt you. However, I know for a fact that most of the information that you posted about Violet Beckles is accurate. You did not mention the land at Hinds Hill that was acquired for the ABC Highway which belong to Violet and she did not get a cent for it. The records in the Ministry of Housing and Lands show that the Government paid a non existent Percival Henry for the property. Violet was robbed by the cream of the legal profession. If you want more information on this massive fraud you can check with the former Senator Ivan Linton. He befriended Violet and tried very hard to help her but stumbling blocks were placed in his way but I would still commend him for his efforts.

David .
I was just fortunate to read excerpts from Prime Minister Stuart’s address to the Foundation School speech day . My life has been further enriched . BU would do this country a great service to post that speech for the benefit of all . Over to you .

Watching Carefully and Listening. | December 7, 2012 at 8:25 AM |
David .
I was just fortunate to read excerpts from Prime Minister Stuart’s address to the Foundation School speech day . My life has been further enriched .. BU would do this country a great service to post that speech for the benefit of all .

David is concerned with enriching the lives of Blp yardfowls not the public at large.

Shame on you for inferring that you would not publish excerpts of the PM’s speech at his Alma Mater because you are not on any “distribution list”. Since when has it become de riguer for you to publish only those communications from public figures that are received from formal sources?

There are several threads on BU which contain elements of speeches by political partisans that were reproduced from newspaper articles or heard on the political hustings. I read the article from Barbados Today and it is devoid of political commentary and I can’t think of the last time I read any statement from a Bajan politician which did not have some elements of politics or partisanship.

@David. You are right. You have an e-mail address and a VERY large readership both in Barbados and externally. You may be sure that the PM’s speech was sent by his press secretary to the Nation, the Advocate AND Barbados Today. In this pre-election period, it behoves all those running for office to have their press people send on speeches to BU. If they fail to do this (on either side of the political divide) the loss is theirs. It is in no way incumbent on you to chase after them, unless they say something that you consider to be of interest to the BU readership. I note that in the UK, you can read the contents of the speeches of major politicians in the press the day before they are delivered – the formula is, “The Prime Minister is expected to say…..”, meaning that his press office has sent an advance copy of his speech to all the media.

Since @Duguid in Hansard for life has found his/her life so enriched by the PM’s speech and Sargeant is so concerned that you have not published it here on BU (which means taking a lot of time and effort to obtain a copy of something which any responsible politician would have made available if his own accord) surely either one or the other of them (Duguid….. and Sargeant) can do as our friend Zoe does – cut and paste it into a comment here on BU. Then we can scroll down or not, as we see fit.

BTW, I am most reliably informed that yesterday also marked the Speech Day of the Alexandra School. Surely a report on those proceedings would have been of far greater interest to the BU family than what transpired at Combermere. As my friend would say, “Just observing……..”

I am also somewhat concerned about the lack of fairness in the accusations levelled at BU that it is biased towards the BLP. I saw no sort of censure when BU’s family and contributors heavily supported a change of government from BLP to DLP at the last elections. It is unfair, I believe, to blame BU and David, which, after all, has never – so far as I can see – taken any partisan political position, but even handedly calls both sides to account.

I have no doubt that if I were to write a spin doctor treatment in favour of the DLP now and send it to BU, it would be posted. Therefore, it appears to me that the perceived bias is not on the part of BU, but due to a lack of “Pride and Industry” on the parts of DLP supporters. The lack of industry can be put down to a number of things, from sloath to fatigue. The lack of pride, however, begs a different explanation.

@ David
You will recall that we have contended earlier that though Freundel Stuart may be an honest politician neither he nor any other politician in Barbados had the courage to approach integrity legislation and other fundamental reforms with a level of seriousness – WE WERE WRONG. Having read the proposed legislation, in part, over the last few days it appears to have some potential for transformation of the political culture. Of course, Stuart will be expecting more near term benefits.

Wait you come back .. ya autistic autistic … HA HA HA. Man I so glad to hear from you … Tell me man, wah it is that wunna people have or say that endears you to David …? He talkin’ to me now but real formal like… Seriously, Pacha now come and David callin’ he Pacha ..Everybody call me BAF but not David, so I ask you, as you are, along with ROK and Bush, David’s closest buddies (not fagettin’ Micro and Greenie), wah I doing wrong ….? HA HA HA HA …. HA HA HA

Your earlier comment about the role of the media in shaping or colouring the Transparency International perception index. In this article mention is made of the role of Kaeiteur News in uncovering corruption. It is also interesting to note that there is concern about the role of the Auditor General.

Look three days ago on the call in program, a guy from Flagstaff who regularly calls in about kites being flown above the houses there gave a pleasant presentation about his history with the police and went on to critic one encounter with an individual sergeant who threatened that he, the sergeant, would love to fly a dozen said kites over the guys house and there would be nothing that the guy could do about it. Whickham the moderator took the opportunity to shift the conversation away from criticizing the “Force” to an area that he thought was important for him to disclose.

The Call In programs over the years have exposed one truth about the media. The media (Fourth Estate) will NOT venture into criticizing the Police, the Bench or the Bar. These are sacred ground, and when this approach persists it protects the operatives in these areas from the scrutiny of the public. I believe that Barbados is as corrupt as anywhere else in the world; it is just not brought to the public’s attention

The issue we have developing is that for talk shows and their hosts to be deemed successful the yardstick used is popularity not content. When you factor that the shows and their hosts appear to be instrumental is influencing public opinion one should anticipate a dangerous result.

@ baffy
Skipper, you ever heard that there is none so blind as he who WILL NOT see?

Perceived corruption in Barbados will always be low because we CHOOSE NOT TO see it.

When we could have a situation where the average citizen EXPECTS a politician to be crooked, and where intelligent people (like Miller) would justify thievery by talking about who stole more before or afterwards, THEN YOU KNOW YOU HAVE REACHED A NADIR.

Look here on BU….it is a common refrain.
“Yes, my man is a thief, but your man thief too….”
…can a country sink any lower that this….?

With the research that you and others have put into this thing there is no doubt in my mind that there is weight in what you are say … But to tell you the truth I am ashamed to admit that I don’ have a problem with it …! Maybe the old White women should be compensated, but the thought of Barbados having been completely owned by a few Whiter families is not the start that a country would need to build on. So it is fraud … I am just not feeling the sympathy … Sorry

Violet Beckles was a poor woman who worked a maid at the QEH. She would go and clean Beatrice Henry when she was ill, and Ms. Henry left all her considerable property to Violet. Unfortunately, the lawyers stole all.

@ david
There are clear misstatements/untruths in ‘Plantation Deeds’ post. Persons ought to stop posting allegations on BU without thoroughly investigating and understanding what their are writing. It will happen when someone ends up in the law courts for libel.

To accuse certain people of fraud both civil and criminal is extremely difficult to prove. Defamation attaches to any such accusations. Surely you can rephrase your comments to be sensitive to such? This is the second warning. Your volume of postings makes it a challenge to monitor. If you don’t make the change we will have to put you on moderate which we are reluctant to do.

@ David
It is not about sharing info as there is no info to share; but a quick read of the submission highlights some claims that just do not make sense yet attempts to sully the individual’s name. When I see such simple mistakes I am led to question the veracity of the overall claims.

@ Hants
Historically, plots have been ‘sold’ in Barbados without the use of a conveyance hence the problems.

You could call me Baf too ya know … If woman was a maid, wah she could do wid all dah land …? I would like to see these cases prosecuted just only to witness the demise of some of these big wigs after whom roundabouts have been named.

So much has happened in Barbados, more bad than good. Things are so out of control. Time for it to stop, stop the music.

Corrupt lawyers and politicians in Barbados are rampart. Legislative law (s) are needed to keep them at bay. The United States, like them or not are notorious at persecuting and convicting government officials of any level. Eric Holder, Attorney General just months ago was held in contempt of congress. He failed to release to them documents of vitality. The prime minister [Barbados] also should be subjected to a term limit. Owen Arthur has served four consecutive terms. He is now seeking another term commencing (2013). His previous terms totaling fourteen years however yielded more negative than positive. He is notably incoherent (see above Youtube video) and a public drunk.

Barbados, no doubt is far behind. Effort to pass Integrity Legislation is the right thing to do but not enough.

David Thompson is deceased, Owen Arthur, Mia Mottley, Dale Marshall, George Payne, Gline Clark are not. Why are these people sitting in government and not in jail??? Puzzling!!! Why does the country even want Owen Arthur for prime minister? He is corrupt and a drunk.

@ PLANTATION DEEDS FROM 1926-2012 AND SEE MASSIVE
FRAUD ,LAND TAX BILLS AND NO DEEDS

Believe it, all we know is true, massive land fraud and cover-up. was The followings are also cover-up stuff: Al Barrack, VECO Corporation, that Arch Cot Land mess, etc.

The BLP started a fire when the S&P downgraded Barbados to junk bond states, but Barbados before 2008 was financially stable. Three S&P downgrades proves this. Donville Inniss started his own fire alike David Thompson, Owen Arthur, Mia Mottley, Dale Marshall, George Payne and Gline Clark.

So much has happened in Barbados, more bad than good. It’s just a shame that so many corrupt lawyers and politicians have freedom to right to walk around Barbados, stand before the people and even campaign for office.

If the Government of Barbados (Civil Service) is the beneficiary of this fraud and NOT the political parties, well then again I will still be a little short of sympathy … But then again fraud is fraud, and there is NO way that land transactions take place without the involvement of Lawyers, lawyers that virtually comprise the power sharing network of the political parties.

Here is an idea. Why not take the information that is given by this Deeds guy, fancy it up a little since he will be your source and publish it as an article for discussion …? If you have already done so I may have missed it …!

@ Baffy
Now THAT sounds like another RIGHT and RIGHTEOUS proposal. Caswell claims to have a unique perspective on the issue too,

From the bits and pieces so far, the whole thing sounds a bit far fetched- EVEN BY BAJAN STANDARDS.
A bunch of lawyers and politicians getting together to steal land valued at millions of dollars leaving the rightful owner a poor widow.

LOL, this sounds like wickedness of biblical proportions.
….but on second thoughts, this is just another day at the lawyers’ office in Barbados.

No but Bush the man is making the point about Clear Title and Good Title. There was a move on in the closing stages of the last administration to have a land registration process on the way which would negate the need for unnecessary searches and so on. I thought that the reason for the delay for such an initiative was the fact that there was the possibility to lessen the dependence on members of the law fraternity. Now that this guy Deeds has appeared, it is becoming clear that there may be an even more sinister reason behind the tardiness of the registration campaign.

Excellent thinking…You have lots of potential Baffy….. :)
You would give Caswell a good run for the chairmanship of the NSC.

When you reach Bushie’s age it will be cat piss and pepper bout here skippa.
We all thank God that you did not choose to do law…. You would have been the devil’s key man ’bout here……. LOL (displacing the Miller :) )

This Plantation Deeds guy is a dangerous man. I can’t verify everything that he has written but I know that most of what he said about the fraud perpetrated against Violet Beckles is accurate. She was potentially one of the richest people in Barbados but died almost penniless because lawyers realised that she was not sufficiently educated and robbed her.

There were several pieces of land at Sunset Crest that Laforet leased from Beatrice Henry for 25 years that should have reverted to her estate and should now be the property of the Estate of Violet Beckles, deceased. Unfortunately, they were also stolen.

High praise in deed. I glad that you ain’ know who I is, that way I could change my tune and you wouldn’t know … HA HA HA … Look I do not even know who said this but I live by it ..”If you see a just fight, jump in …!”

David

Deeds is full of passion but may be short on “wordiology” … You should consider taking the initiative here … Just saying … And where Caswell chooses to back him up serves only to make clear that where there is smoke you could bet something getting burn … (evidence …?)

ac now got me feeling foolish … When ROK posted his piece I was interested in the FTC hearings and I guess I thought nothing of it then. But reading thru the comments it seems that the lady Ms Beckles had NO will, no clear claim and further did NOT move to ensure possession of the land thru various actions such as the charging of rent. She is dead now, her employer has a step son and it seems that unless the step son steps forward then the land will continue to be Crown property … How ever if there was fraud involved, I say get the f#ckers …!

The more I read these comments from 2009 the worst I feel about this whole thing. I know the Broome families well, two brothers, one was into building and leasing properties, the other was into making concrete blocks. Both were big on owning properties in St James, St. Peter, St Michael and Christ Church. They were both deeply religious men like GP … Oh oh, this thing ain’ lookin’ good at all at all al of a sudden … I gun call one of the Broome girls tomorrow self and see wah I can find out … hoy hoy.

David this guy plantation deeds is laying the ground work for BU to get embroiled ina class action lawsuit for defamation of character by willing publishing names and companies of defrauding voilet beckles of land and property.

This plantation deeds mess is not a laughing matter; it is refusing to be dead and buried. So, hiding or covering it up won’t work. It just won’t work. Both government parties BLP and DLP surely know this. Violet Beckles now deceased but has heirs. What belonged to Violet Beckles now belongs to her heirs.

Plantation Deeds needs to get his information including names straight. You should not accuse individuals of having done something when you have not done your homework thoroughly. For example, Mark Cummins is the Chief Town Planner not an employee of UDC. Given what the information is intended to do persons’ characters, I see easy law suits…lol.

The Plantation Deeds person on the internet is STOPPING TRAFFIC and embarrassing Barbados. Surely, both government parties BLP and DLP know this.

The plantation deeds mess alike Al Barrack, VECO and CLICO roots from the BLP administration with Arthur at the helm. Arthur we know is a drunk; he stutters and his mind is a lot less stalwart (See Youtube videos) but now he’s racing for prime minister title, AGAIN. His previous terms of fourteen years produced more negative than positive – lots of embarrassment. He will just produce more embarrassments.

There is need to implement a prime minister term limit. There is a need to implement corruption laws and freedom of information. There is also a need to upgrade the Barbados judical system. It, the judical system could and should handle its corrupt lawyers and government officials like the United States – have no mercy. Also, Barbados relies on to few things to survive, mainly tourism, should consider another cash crop maybe cotton. Makes more sense than that Nigerian Water Heater mess and a loss of 2.4 million dollars.